Kevin Whitcher
Ultimately, the difference between the two sides in last night’s Carling Cup Quarter Final could be summed up in the price tags of the attacking partnerships the two sides put out. Dzeko plus (after 40 minutes) Aguerro against Park and Chamakh. As Doktor Schneide texted me, “Their goal was reminiscent of Bergkamp, Pires and Henry in their pomp”. He followed it up by saying, “If we ever have to rely on Chmakh and Gervinho we are screwed.” Should Robin van Persie befall injury, one does imagine that Chamakh will be the one to get the nod.
Arsenal did have a couple of similar situations to that which led to City’s winner over the course of the game, but they broke down with an inaccurate pass or lack of ball control. Park’s chance was the best the home side enjoyed on the night against a resolute City defence. In both that instance and later against the Ox, Mancini’s stand-in keeper showed there are options beyond Joe Hart. Last night was the tale of strength in depth. Unsurprising that the league leaders came out on top.
Most fans were content with the performance. Arsenal certainly could not be accused of a lack of effort, just wit. The defence played surprisingly well given some of the personnel selected. Gooners turned up more in hope than expectation. It wasn’t the greatest of spectacles with the two sides stifling one another out – no doubt it was a case of defences on top. The pantomime booing of Samir Nasri was marginally amusing, the home crowd in decent voice.
The club have doubtless enjoyed the extra revenue provided by three home ties in this competition, even at reduced prices. Interesting to note that the price of the programme returned to the normal £3 last night though. As there is no compulsion for them to ever lower it to £2 anyway, I can’t get excited about that, especially as I rarely buy the thing anyway.
This season’s Carling Cup has given some valuable game time to players who would not get much of a look-in normally. That Wenger, pre-match, said he considers them all first team players is a bit of a nonsense, otherwise we would have seen more of the Ox, by far Arsenal’s best attacking player last night. It would be nice to see him get some opportunities from the bench in other matches. Doubtless he will start in Greece next week anyway, as will many of the line-up that faced City.
When one considers Ignasi Miquel is primarily a centre back, Arsenal’s entire backline consisted of good old fashioned stoppers. Perhaps this was the reason that Wenger’s men looked good at the back but unimaginative going forward. So the Gunners exit, with no disgrace. Beliefs about the paucity of attacking options were confirmed, but aside from that, last night did not tell us too much we didn’t know, except that Squillaci and Djourou are capable of having decent games for the club.
The current issue of the Gooner is available to buy online here. It will also be on sale outside Wigan on Saturday and against Everton the following weekend.
Kevin Whitcher’s newly updated version of the book co-written with Alex Fynn, ‘Arsènal: The Making of a Modern Superclub’ is available in paperback from publishers Vision Sports for a reduced price of £6.99 including postage if you use the promo code ‘Gooner’ on the page that appears after you click ‘buy now’. Click here to order.
